Improvement in lamps



Patented Oct. 10, 1871A.-

@ummm UNITED STATEs 1 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN T. GRIMES, OF LIBERTY, MISSOURI.

IMPROVEMENT IN LAMPS.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,842, dated October l0, 1371; antedated October 6, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN T. GRIMEs, of Liberty, in the county of Clay and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improve ment in Lamps, andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, 'and Fig. 2 is a plan of the valve I.

This invention relates to that description of lamps in which the wick-chamber is supplied with oil or huid from a reservoir that is arranged outside of said chamber or stands detached from it except by its tubular connection. My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a semi-rotary valve, and the parts connected therewith for regulating or preventing the flow of oil from the fountain or reservoir to the lamps proper, for the purposes hereinafter explained. My invention likewise consists in projecting the outer ends of the oil-tubes through the bottom of the lamps proper, for the purpose of preventing the same being choked by the wicks, or any foreign substance, as would be the case if thetubes terminated at the bottom of the lamps. This arrangement of the tube ends also insures the presence of a supply of oil in each lamp or wick-chamber independent of the quantity in the fountain.

Referring to the drawing, when the lamp is constructed by extending the upper tube or funnel A down into the lower tube or well D, the lower tube or well D should be of sufficient diameter to allow of a space, F, of from a quarter to a half inch between the circumference of the lower end of the upper tube or funnel A and the inner circumference ofthe lower tube or well D, to allow oil or liquid to descend into the lower tube or well D, and air to pass into the fountainreservoir C, as hereinafter explained. The lower tube or well D, or bottom of the reservoir C, is connected with the conducting-tube or tubes G by a descending-tube, H, which is connected at its upper extremity with the lower valve I, and at its lower extremity with the conducting-tube or tubes G, which are connected with the wickchamber K by the small ascending-tube or tubes L. These are designed to be made sufficiently small to prevent passage of ame through them to the main supply-pipe G, thereby preventing explosions. In the upper part of the fountainreservoir C is provided a illing-tube, M, which is secured by a screw-cap, N, around which is placed a ring or washer of leather or other soft substance, by which means it can be made airtight.

.To lill the reservoir, remove the screw-cap N from the filling-tube M, turn the screw-nut O ou the end of the rod P to make tight the upper valve Q, to prevent oil or liquid entering the upper tube or funnel A, and to turn the lower valve I to prevent oil or liquid from entering the descending-tube H while the reservoir is being filled. When the reservoir is full, screw the screwcap N into the filling-tube M to make it air-tight,

unscrew the screw-nut O on the end of the rod,

when the lower valve will be turned to allow the oil or liquid to liow into the descending-tube H, and the spring R will force down the upper valve Q, when the oil or liquid will rise in the lower end of the upper tube or funnel A, and iiow through the tubes into the wick-chamber K, until it risesvto or near a level with the oil or liquid in the lower end of the upper tube or funnel A, when it will cease to rise and remain stationary. Vis a plate having a central perforation, through which passes the valve-rod P. This plate forms a valve-seats for the valve Q, whereby oil is prevented from rising in the tube vor funnel A. When the valve I is turned by the rod P its perforations are brought into coincidence with those in the stationary plate or valve-seat X, and the outilow of oil permitted accordingly 5 and, vice versa, when the valve is closed, the oilis prevented from iiowing into the tubes G. When the wick is lighted and the lamp in operation, as the oil or liquid is consumed from the wick-chamber it descends in the lower end of the upper tube or funnel A until it is sufficiently low to allow air to pass under the lower end of the upper tube or funnel into the fountain-reservoir O, when the air will pass under thev lower end of the tube or funnel A into the fountain-reservoir O, and the oil or liquid will rise in the lower end of the upper tube or funnel A, and so continue to do while the lamp is in operation and there is any oil or liquid in the fountain-reservoir, thus renewing and keeping up the supply of oil or liquid in the wick-chambers K, whereby a brilliant light is produced and the lamp continues to burn for a greater length of time Without refilling than lamps no7 in general use.

The provision and arrangement of the tube S around the wick-chamber K When the Wick is lighted induces an upward draught or current ot' air around the Wickchamber and burner, by which the oil or liquid in the wick-chamber and the burner is prevented from becoming heated, and an additional or increased supply of oxygen is given to the flame.

The tube H is flared or enlarged at its upper end so as to embrace the plate or valve-seat X, and its edge is turned down in such a manner as to secure both the valve and plate in place, but not so tightly as to prevent the rotation of the valve, through Whose ears pass the short bars or rods that connect the valve Q, and the plate which slides on the tube H and acts thus as a guide for the rod P in its vertical movement. The top ofthe rod l) is notched to admit of the use of a knife, small screw-driver, or any other suitable instrument for turning the same in order to adjust the valve or hold the valve stationary should from any cause such operation become necessary. The tubes L project far enough into the wick-chambers to insure that the said cha1nbers shall be always partly full of oil Whatever be the position or inclination of the lamp, or even in ease no oil be in the fountain or oil-tubes.

Having thus described my invention7 what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a fountain-reservoir lamp, the valve-seat or plate V, upper valve Q, lower valve I, perforated plate or valveseat X, tube H, the guideplate, and the rod P provided with a spiral spring and a screw-nut, arranged as herein shown and described, for the purpose specified.

2. The small tube L, arranged to project into the Wick-chamber K, as herein shown and described, for the purpose specied.

FRANKLIN T. GRIMES.

THos. D. D. OURAND. (90) 

